Platform support system

ABSTRACT

A support system is described which is capable of maintaining a platform such as a workpiece holding table, in a fixed plane while it moves along a path in that plane. The platform is supported with respect to a base by means of interconnecting mechanisms made up of panels hingedly connected to each other and to control braces which vary the articulation of the panels. The panels are thicker at the center than at the edges and in assembly they cooperate to produce an exceptionally rigid structure.

Unite States Patent [191 Palmer Oct. 8, 1974 1 PLATFORM SUPPORT SYSTEM3,291,431 12/1966 Daniel 248/277 [761 Philipk- Palmer, BOX 14, Compton,$123833 341333 53%;:1111::1: :::::::::::::::-:i:::::::iii/1i;

Ark. 72624 [22] Filed: Apr. 18, 1973 [21] Appl. No.2 352,355

[52] US. Cl 248/424, 74/103, 248/276 [51] Int. Cl. A471 5/08 158] Fieldof Search 248/424, 276, 277, 284,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 256,583 4/1882 Merrill..;248/281 297,333 4/1884 Adams..... 52/695 848,231 3/1907 Flynn 212/1441,195,847 8/1916 Norby 74/103 2,198,635 4/1940 Rossman 74/103 2,285,8686/1942 Muller 248/421 2,341,741 2/l 944 Putnam 74/103 2,683,481 7/1954Lorenz 74/103 2,900,830 8/1959 Eisenburger et al. 74/103 2,921,6971/1960 Holmes et a1 212/144 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Machine Design-Pages90-92, Jan. 1950 Issue, Vol. No. 22, Issue No. 1.

Product Engineering-page 87-Oct. 12, 1959 Issue, Vol. No. 30, Issue No.42.

Primary Examiner-Marion Parsons, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or FirmCharles B.Cannon [57] ABSTRACT 26 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures PATENTEB 81974 saw115 8 mm v mm mm vm mm. w mm mm w v vm an m m 3v 0 w k Qv Qv x mm mv mvmm mm mm mm mm a, C l R 9w PATENTEU 81974 SHEET 2 BF 8 Pmimmum 81974SHEET 4 [IF 8 Pmmanw m 3,840,206-

' SHEET 5 OF 8 PATENTED m 3 i 74 sum ear 8 PATENTED 8 I974 SHEEI 70F 8 I1 PLATFORM SUPPORT SYSTEM This invention relates to support structuresand more particularly it concerns a platform supporting system capableof maintaing a platform rigidly fixed from all movement excepttranslation in a given plane.

The invention is useful in industries where articles must be transferredwith a high degree of precision from onelocation to another along astraight path of movement. Thus for example, the invention may be usedin the supporting of an assembly to be welded at several displacedpoints therealong. In such case, the assembly may be mounted on aplatform supported according to the present invention; and the platform,with the assembly thereon, can be moved along under a fixed weldinghead.

Other uses of platforms supported according to the present inventionmay-include the mounting tool heads on articles to be processed by toolsso that successive 'tool operations may be carried out atdifferentlocations along a fixed plane. The invention is also suited toconveyor type applications where articles must be transferred from onelocation to another, such as in the loading and unloading of trucks,furnaces, and ovens, for example. l

One feature of the present invention is that it permits a platform to bemoved easily along a given path in a fixed plane while at the same timebeing highly resistant to forces outside the given path. Thus a platformsupported according to the present invention resists lateral forces,rotational forces and twisting and bending forces. ln addition, theplatform movement according to the present invention is obtainedexclusively by means of hinge or pivot type interconnections, so thatall sliding and rolling motion, which is susceptible to dirt and otherforeign material, is avoided.

In the past, platform's had been supported for movement in a fixed planeby means of slideways. Any rigidity which this arrangement provided wasachieved only at the expense of high frictional resistance to movementalong the desired path. Roller and ball bearings have been proposed as ameans of overcoming this frictional resistance. However, this results ina greater susceptability to wear and ultimate loss of rigidity since itpermits dirt and other foreign materials to contact the sliding orrolling surfaces.

Pivotal or swinging type supporting arrangements for movingplatformshave also been proposed. These arrangements, for the most part, however,do not maintain the platform in a fixed plane. Moreover, thesearrangements lack sufficient rigidity for precision operation.

Various suspension systems have been proposed using pivotally connectedlinks to obtain straight line motion. One such system shown in U.S. Pat.No. 2,683,481 to A. Lorenz, is used for mounting a glider type swing orchair. The Lorenz system employs four linkage mechanisms known asPeaucellier link mechanisms," at the four corners of a seating platform.These Peaucellier link mechanisms each comprise four equal length linkspinned together to form a rhombus, a pair of equal length outer linkspinned together at one end and pinned at their other end to diagonallyopposite corners of the rhombus, and a center link connected betweenanother corner of the rhombus and a fixed link. When either theremaining corner of the rhombus,

or the corner formed by the pinned together ends of the outer links,is'maintained at a proper location with respect to the fixed pivot, theother will be confined to movement in a straight line. Although aPeaucellier link mechanism does provide for straight line motion usingonly pivoted elements, its incorporation of multiple links and pivots,which are not fixed, leaves it susceptable to forces outside the normalpath of link movement. The mechanism is inherently non-rigid. Even theuse of four such mechanisms at'the corners of a member such as a chairseat in the above mentioned Lorenz patent does not overcome the problemof lack of rigidity. The supported member remains vulnerable to lateraland turning forces.

The present invention is directed to overcoming these problems of theprior artinthat it provides a support mechanism for mounting platformsin an inherently rigid manner so that they are resistant to forces inall directions except that along a given path of move ment. The platformmounting arrangement of the present invention, moreover, requires nosliding or rolling movement to maintain the platform in a fixed plane.

According to the present invention, there is provided an elongatedbasemember, an elongated platform member and interconnecting mechanismsbetween the two members which confine their relative movement to a givenpath in a fixed plane. At least one of the interconnecting mechanismsincludes first and second sup- 7 port panels each extending betweenparallel hinge lines displaced at a first distance from each other.These panels are also hingedly connected to one of the members and toeach other along one of the hinge lines,

which extends across the width of the member. The interconnectingmechanism further includes third and fourth support panels each alsoextending between parallel hinge lines displaced a second distance fromeach other. The third and fourth panels are hingedly connected to theotherof the members and to each other along one of their hinge lines,which also extends across thewidth of the other member. The first andthird panels and the second and fourth panels, respectively, arehingedly connected to each other along their remaining hinge lines. Apair of control braces are provided. These control braces are of thesame length as the first distance, i.e., the width of the first andsecond panels; and they are pivotally connected to one end,respectively, to the referred to remaining hinge linesof the panels. Theother ends of the control braces are pivotally connected to each otherand to one end of a control link. The other end of the control link isconnected to a pivot fixed to the other member along a line extendingout from the plane of the member and at a distance from the member equalto the length of the control link.

The first, second, third and fourth support panels are of a constructionsuch that they are each of greatest thickness in the center and leastthickness along the edges and such that "they are all resistant tocompressive forcesacting between their hinge lines; and they are alsoresistant to tension, torsion and bending forces. As illustrativelyembodied, these panels may be of open framework construction comprisingbars and struts arranged in the form of octahedrons or pairs ofsuperimposed tetrahedrons. The panels may also be made of sheet materialshaped to the same overall configuration. The control braces andconnecting link need be resistant only to compression and tension. Thethird and fourth panels are provided with openings which permit them toswing through the fixed pivot thereby els and therefore they haveminimal effect upon the rigidity of these panels.

In the above described panel arrangement no single element connectionexists between the base and the platform being supported! That is, anyconnection between the base and the platform requires the presence of atleast two panels, hingedly connected to each other and to the base andplatform respectively. Since each connection must include two panels andthree hinges, a problem of stability would be expected, as in the priorart. However, with the present invention an inherent rigidity isachieved because the four panels cooperate to form a box-likeconstruction which itself is inherently rigid.

According to a further feature of the present invention, only a singleinterconnecting mechanism as above described need be provided; and oneor more other interconnecting mechanisms may be formed of a pair offurther panels having edge to edge distances the same as the first andthird panels respectively. These further panels are hinged together andto the base and platform members in the same manner as the first andthird panels; and a connecting bar is pivotally connected at one end ofthe junction between the further panels and the corresponding junctionbetween the first and third panels.

There has thus been outlined rather broadly the more important featuresof the invention in order that the detailed description thereof thatfollows may be better understood, and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course,additional features of the invention that will be described thereinafterwhich will form the subject of various ones of the claims appendedhereto. Those.

skilled in the art will appreciate the conception upon which thisdisclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designingof other structures for carrying out the several purposes of theinvention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded asincluding such equivalent construction as do not depart from the spiritin scope of the invention.

A number of embodiments of 'the invention have been chosen for purposesof illustration and description and are shown in the accompanyingdrawing forming a part of the specification wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view illustrating a platform support systemin which the present invention is embodied;

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are fragmentary views of one interconnectingmechanism, utilized in the embodiment of FIG. 1, at different stages ofplatform movement;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the constructionof one of the interconnecting mechanisms used in the embodiment of FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view showing theconstruction and interconnections of a panel forming a portion of aninterconnecting mechanism in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged'fragmentary view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

4 FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken along line 77 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of FIG. 7; FIG. 9 is a sideelevational view illustrating a second embodiment of a platform supportsystem according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a view taken along line 10- -l0 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view taken along line 11-11 of FIG.10;

FIG. 12 is a view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a view taken alongline 13-13 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 14 is a view taken along line 14'-14 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a strap type hinge which may be used toconnect various panels together in the illustrated embodiments; and

FIG. 16 is a section view taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 15.

The platform support system of FIG. 1 comprises a horizontal platform 20mounted above a base 22 to move back and forth in the direction of anarrow A in a plane parallel to that of the base. The platform 20 issupported above the base 22 by means of a pair of interconnectingmechanisms 24.

Each interconnecting mechanism 24 comprises first and second outersupport panels 26 and 28 hingedly connected to each other and to theplatform 20 along a platform hinge line 30. Third and fourth outersupport panels 32 and 34 are hingedly connected to each other and to thebase 22 along a base hinge line 36. The third and fourth panels, whichare longer, in the plane of FIG. 1 than the first and second panels, arehingedly connected, respectively, to the third and fourth panels alongthe panel hinge line 38 and 40. A pair of interconnecting braces 42 and44, are connected to the support panels 26, 28, 32 and 34 at the hingelines 38 and 40. These interconnecting braces, which are equal in length(in the plane of FIG. 1) to that of the first and second support panels26 and 28, are pivotally connected to each other and to a control link46 at a pivot joint 48. The control link 46 in turn is pivotallyconnected at a pivot point 50 to a fixed brace 52 mounted firmly on thebase 22. The brace 52 is located such that the pivot point 50 lies alonga line extending perpendicular from the base hinge line 36; and thepivot point 50 is equidistant from the hinge line 36 and the pivot point48. The brace 52 may be supported by means of a diagonal strut 54extending from the base.

With the arrangement described above, the platform 20 is free to moveback and forth along a fixed plane, in the direction of the arrow Awhile always remaining parallel to and an at a fixed distance from thebase 22.

The action of the above described interconnecting mechanism 24 duringplatform movement is illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C. As can be seenfrom these FIGS., the first and second support panels 26 and 28 and theinterconnecting braces 42 and 44 are of the same length (in the plane ofFIG. 2); and they combine.

,to form a rhombus. The pivot point 50 corresponds to a fifth hingeline. During movement of the platform 20 the third and fourth supportpanels 32 and 34 pivot above the base hinge line 36 and tend to swingthe rhombus around with them. However, during this rhombus. That is,when the interconnecting mechanism form or base members. Two diagonalstruts 64 are welded at one end to the base of each of the fittings 61and 62; and these struts extend to the upper and lower extends uprightas shown in FIG. 2B, i.e., when the platform hinge line is directlyabove the base hinge line 36, the rhombus is horizontally extended, withthe hinge lines 38 and being farthest apart from each other. As theplatform 20 moves either to the left or to the right as shown in FIGS.2A and 2C, the third and fourth support panels 32 and 34 swing in thesame direction; and the control link 46 serves to bring the hinge lines38 and 40 closer together thus extending the rhombus in a generallyvertical direction as shown. It will be seen thatduring thesemovementsof the interconnecting mechanism 24, the platform hinge line 30 isconfined to movement along a horizontal lineas viewed in FIG. 2. Thiswill occur so long as the panels .26 and 28 and the control braces 42and 44 have the same length, in the place of FIG. 2; and the panels 32and 34 an equal in length to each other and the distance from the pivotjoint 48 to the pivotjoint 50 is the same as the distance from the pivotpoint 50 to the base hinge line 36.

It should be understood that either or both of the interconnectingmechanisms may be inverted and the same platform movement as describedabove will result. Also if only one interconnecting mechanism isinver'ted a certain self balancing characteristic will be achieved. r

The platform movement may be produced by any automatic or manual means(not shown) which will exert a'force on the platform inthedesireddirection. Since no sliding or rolling action takes place during themovement and since all relative movement between elements is pivotal,the forces required to effect platform movement'are minimal.

Turning now to FIG. 3, it will be seen that the four panels 26, 28, 32and 34 extend across the width of the platform '20 and the base 22.Also, the first and second panels 26 and 28 are provided with fittingsand 56, respectively, which are pinned to each other by means of a pin51 extending along the platform hinge line 30. The pin 51 passesthroughthe fittings 55 and 56 and into a support bar' 57 which is connected tothe platform 20 by means of a pair of collars 58. The assembly Theconstruction of an individual support panel is best seen in the explodedperspective view of FIG. 4. As' there shown, a typical panel, e.g., thethird panel 32, comprises a pair of heavy tubular side members 59 and 60which extend parallel to each other between the hinge lines 36 and 38.The ends of each of the side members 59 and 60 are provided with lowerand upper male and female fittings 61 and 62 for hinge typeinterconnection with adjacent panels, control braces, platends of aspreader bar 66 which is located centrally of the panel and extendsperpendicular to the plane of the panel.

As can be seen in FIG. 4,the lower end of the first panel 26 is ofsimilar construction to that of the third panel 32; and is providedwitha pair of male fittings 68 which form a hinge type interconnectionwith the upper female fittings 62 of the third panel 32. Upper hingepins 70 extend through these fittings" and into upper collars 72 mountedon the ends of an upper spacer bar 74 which extends between thefittings. As shown, two branches 42a and 42b of the interconnectingbrace 42 are welded to the collars 72. The interconnection between thefittings 62 and 68, the collar 72 and the pin 70 is shown in assembly inFIG. 5. A similar interconnection between fittings 55 and 56 at theupper ends of the first and second panels 26 and 28 (FIG. 6).

The lower male fittings-61 of the third panel 32 are I hingedlyconnected to corresponding fittings (not shown) of the fourth panel 34in a manner similar to that described above. Lower hinge pins 76 extendthrough the fittings and into collars 78. These collars are mounted onthe ends of a lower'spacer bar 80 which is secured to the base 22. r v

It will be appreciated that the tubular side members 59 and 60, theupperand lower spacer bars 74 and 80, the struts 64 and the spreader bar 66cooperate to form a space frame which may be defined as an octahedron orfour interconnected tetrahedrons. This frame, which is thicker in thecenter than at the edges, is inherently rigid and is resistanttocompressive forces between their adjacent hinge lines, tensile'forcesand bending and twisting forces. Each of the four support panels 26, 28,32 and 34 is of similar construction. Moreover, since these panels areconnected along parallel hinge lines, they cooperate to form a box-likestructure which maintains an overall rigidity against all forces exceptthose in the direction of pivotal movement about the hinge line.

The construction and interconnection of the interconnecting braces 42and 44 and the control link 46 will now be described with reference toFIGS. 7 and 8. As can be seen in FIG. 7 the interconnecting braces 42and 44 are formed tubular steel and each comprises a pair of branches42a and 42b and 44a and 44b. The two branches of each brace areconnected together at ayoke 82. The yokes 82 are bolted to male andfemale pivot fittings 84 and 86; and these in turn are pinned togetheralong with an outer fitting 88. As shown in FIG; 8, the outer fitting 88is secured to the upper end of the control link 46.

Reverting now to FIG. 3 it will be seen that the fixed brace 52 to whichthe lower end of the control link 46 is pivoted, is made up of a pair ofdiagonally extending branches 52a and 52b which come together at thepivot 50. These branches 52a and 52b are also welded to the diagonalstrut 54. I

It will be appreciated that while the outer support panels 26, 28, 32and 34 are all of special construction;

i.e., with a thicker center, so as to enable them to resist tension,compression, bending and twisting, the interconnecting braces 42 and 44and the-control link 46 may be of more nearly planar construction andresistant only to tensile and compressive forces. Thus, theinterconnecting braces 42 and 44 may come together and act'incorporationwith the control link 46 and the fixed brace 52 at a central location sothat minimum interference will be encountered'between them and the outersupport panels. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the

third and fourth outer support panels 32 and 34 are open near the bottomcenter thereof thereby permitting them to pass over the fixed brace 52without interference.

While the various outer support panels 26, 28, 32 and 34 of theembodiment described above are of open framework construction, it is tobe understood that the principles of the present invention may berealized with other forms of inherently rigid panel-like support memberswhich are inherently rigid and resistant to compressive, tensile,bending and torsional forces.

A base and panel interconnecting mechanism utilizing an alternate formof panel construction is illustrated in FIGS. 9-14.

As can be seen in FIG. 9 a platform member 90 is maintained at a fixeddistance above a base member 92 by means of an interconnecting mechanism94 which is hingedly connected to the platform member 90 along an upperhinge line 96, and to the base member 92 along a lower hinge line 98.The interconnecting mechanism 94 includes first and second outer supportpanels 100 and 102 hingedly connected to each other and to the platformmember 90 along the upper hinge line 98, and third and fourth outersupport panels 104 and 106 hingedly connected to each other and to thebase memher 92 along the lower hinge line 98. The first and third outersupport panels 100 and 104 are hingedly connected to each other along athird hinge line 108 while the second and fourth outer support panelsare hingedly connected to each other along the fourth hinge line 110.

First, second and third control panels 112, 114 and 116 are hingedlyconnected to each other along a control panel hinge line 118. Theopposite ends of the first and second control panels 112 and 114 arehingedly connected to the outer support panel along the third and fourthhinge line 108 and 110 respectively. The remaining edge of the thirdcontrol panel 116 is hingedly connected to a fixed abutment 120 along anabutment hinge line 122. The fixed abutment 120 is permanently securedto the base member 92 and the abutment hinge line 122 extends above thelower hinge line 98 by a dis tance equal to the distance between thecontrol panel hinge line 118 and the abutment hinge line 122.

As in the previous embodiment, all of the hinge lines 96, 98, 108, 110,118 and 122 are mutually parallel. Further, as in the preceedingembodiment, the first and second outer support panels 100 and 102 andthe first and second control panels 112 and 114 are all of the samelength so that the distances between the various hinge lines 96, 108,118 and 110 are all the same. The third and fourth outer support panels104 and 106 are of the same length but are longer than the other panels.

It will readily be seen that the action of the panels to control thespacing between the platform member 90 and the base member 92 duringlateral movement of the platform member is the same as that of the openframework embodiment of FIGS. l-8.

The essential difference between the present embodiment and that ofFIGS. 1 8 lies in the individual panel construction used in theinterconnecting mechanism. Whereas the various support-and controlpanels of the preceeding embodiment were constructed according to anopen framework arrangement, their corresponding panels in the presentembodiment are constructed of sheet material. In both cases, however thevarious panels are thickest in their center region and are thinnestalong their edges. In addition, the various panels of the presentembodiment follow the same general contours side by a composite of fourtriangular shaped sections 124 which slope in pyramid fashion from anapex 126 at the center of the panel down to the edges of the panel. Thisarrangement is repeated on the opposite side of the panel as can be seenin the sectional perspective view of FIG. 11. The material of the panelsmay be any stiff sheet material such as metal or plastic; and itsthickness will be determined according to the strength required. It hasbeen found however that relatively light gauge material can befabricated into panels of very high strength utilizing the constructionillustrated.

Turning now to FIG. 12, the second control panel 114 is shown in planview to be shaped as a trapezoid. Thus, the panel 114 extends from awide edge 128, which lies along the fourth hinge line 110, down to anopposite narrow edge 130, which lies along the control panel hinge line118. The second control panel 114 is also formed of generally triangularsections 132 which extend from an apex 134, constituting the thickestportion of the panel, down to the panel edges. It will be seen from FIG.9, however, that the first and second control panels 112 and 114 areflat along their lower surfaces. This provides clearance in the vicinityof an angle a so as to provide clearance with respect to the third andfourth outer supportpanels 104 and 106 and thereby afford maximumfreedom of movement of the system.

The third control panel 116 is illustrated in plan view in FIG. 13. Itwill be seen that the overall configuration of this control panel issimilar to that of the first and second control outer support panel and102 with the exception that the third control panel 116 is shorter andnarrower than the other panels.

Turning now to FIG. 14, the fourth outersupport panel 106 can be seen inplan view to be of substantially the same construction as the otherpanels described above. The fourth'outer support panel 106, however, isprovided with a triangular shaped cutout 136, which accommodates thefixed abutment 120, and

the abutment hinge line 122 (not shown) during pivoting movement of thepanel about the lower hinge line 98. This permits the same extensivemovement which characterizes the embodiment of FIGS. l-8.

The various panels described above may be hinged together in anysuitable manner. FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate a strap hinge 140, which maybe utilized to provide this interconnection. The strap hinge comprisesan elongated central spine 142 and a plurality of flanges 144 extendingradially out from the spine. The spine and flanges may be of integralconstruction so that the hinging action takes place by bending of theflanges in the vicinity of the spine. Various types of plastic aresuitable for this type of hinging action. The hinge arrangement shown inFIGS. and 16 is especially well suited for the present invention becausemost of the hinge lines require the relative interconnection of threeseparately pivoting elements. Also, the particular mechanism utilizedherein does not require any of the relatively pivoted elements toreverse their relative positions. Accordingly special complex hingeswhose various elements must pass by each other are not needed.

FIG. 9 illustrates a further aspect of the present invention. As shownin FIG. 9, there is provided a masterslave type interconnectingmechanism arrangement which substantially simplifies the construction ofthe platform support system while maintaining the same rigidity andprecision of movement as in the preceeding embodiment. In themaster-slave interconnecting mechanism arrangement of FIG. 9, theinterconnecting mechanism 94 serves as a master while a second internism94. A connector'bar 172 is hingedly connected between correspondingpoints on the master and slave interconnecting mechanism, 94 and 160.This connector bar, as shown, is connected between the hinge lines and168 of the two interconnecting mechanisms, although it may be connectedat any other corresponding points of the two mechanisms. Essentially,the connector bar maintains the corresponding panels of the twointerconnecting mechanisms parallel to each other so that the'slaveinterconnecting mechanism serves tofollow the master mechanism therebyto maintain the platform 90 parallel toand at a fixed distance from thebase 92 during forward and backward movement the main interconnectingmechanism serves as a master. In this way a substantial savings incomponents is achieved.

It will be noted that the inherent rigidity afforded by the principlesof the present invention permits of considerable flexibilityofapplication. For example the platform support system of either FIG. 1or FIG. 9 can be positioned with the base member in a vertical plane andwith the various hinge lines extending vertically. In

such case all gravity components which could affect the force necessaryto operate the system are eliminated and yet the system remains freefrom binding or other effects of distortion.

Various embodiments of the invention have been chosen for purposes ofillustration and description, and are shown in the accompanyingdrawings, forming a part of. the specification, wherein:

I claim:

l. A platform support system for mounting a platform for movement alonga given path in a fixed plane with respect to a base while maintainingsame braced against other movement, said system comprising a pair ofinterconnecting mechanisms each interconnecting said platform and base,at least one of saidmechanisms comprising first and second outer supportpanels rigidly resistant to bending and twisting and hingedly connectedat their edges to each otherat displaced locations along a first hingeline, third and fourth outer support panels also rigidly resistant tobending and twisting and hingedly connected at their edges to each otherat displaced locations along a second hinge line parallel to said firsthinge line, said first and third panels being hingedly connected to eachother at their remaining edges at displaced locations along a thirdhinge line and said second and fourth panels being hingedly connected toeach other at their remaining edges at displaced locations along afourth hinge line, said third and fourth hinge lines each being parallelto and located a first distances from said first hinge line, said thirdand fourth hinge lines each being located at a second distance from saidsecond hinge line, a pair of control braces pivotally connected to eachother along a fifth hinge line parallel, to said first, second, thirdand fourth hinge lines, said control braces being pivotally connected tosaid outer support panels along said third and fourth hinge linesrespectively, said fifth hinge line being displaced from said third andfourth hinge lines by said first fixed distances, a control linkpivotally connected between said fifth hinge line and a pivot fixed withrespect to said second hinge line, the distance from said fifth hingeline to said pivot being equal to the distance from said pivot to saidsecond hinge line, means hingedly connecting said panels, at said firstand second hinge lines, between said platform and base, the otherinterconnect-ing mechanism being articulated between said base andplatform and means causing movements of said other mechanism to conformto movements of said one mechanism.

2. A platform supportsystem according to claim 1 wherein said outersupport panels are each of greater thickness at the center thereof thanat their edges and are of a construction resistant to compression forcesbetween the hinge lines, and resistant to tensile forces and bending andtwisting forces.

3. A platform support system according to claim I wherein said outersupport panels extend across the width of said platform. j

4. A platform support system according toclaim 3 wherein said controllink and fixed pivot are positioned approximately midway across thewidth of the panels and wherein said third and fourth panels haveopenings extending from their base connected edges for allowing saidpanels to swing oversaid control link and fixed pivot.

5. A platformsupport system according to claim 4 wherein each of saidcontrol braces extend diagonally wherein each of said outer supportpanels is provided with fittings at the ends of said side elements, saidfittings being pinned to corresponding fittings in an adjacent panel.

8. A platform support system according to claim 7 wherein said controlbraces each comprise a pair of r branches extending diagonally from saidcontrol link to collars adjacent the fittings on said outer supportpanels. 1

9. A platform support system according to claim 2 wherein said outersupport panels are of flat sheet material segments arranged to formpolyhedrons.

10. A platform support system according to claim 2 wherein said controlbraces arepanels of sheet material segments arranged to formpolyhedrons.

11. A platform support system according to claim 1 wherein said outersupport panels and control braces are hinged together with strap typehinges.

12. A platform support system according to claim 1 wherein the otherinterconnecting mechanism comprises a pair of further panels hingedlyconnected to each other and to said platform and base respectively, saidfurther panels extending the same distance be tween adjacent hinge linesrespectively as said first and third panels and an interconnecting barpivotally connected to corresponding locations on the panels of the pairof interconnecting mechanisms to maintain corresponding ones of saidpanels parallel.

13. A platform support system according to claim 12 wherein saidinterconnecting bar extends from said fourth hinge'line to the hingeline between the panels of said further pair.

14. An interconnecting mechanism for rigidly supporting platforms formovement along a given path, said mechanism comprising first, second,third and fourth outer support panels each being rigidly resistant tobending and twisting and hingedly connected to gether at their edges atdisplaced locations along each of first, second, third and fourthmutually parallel hinge lines to form a generally box-like construction,said panels being of a length to maintain said third and fourth hingelines at a first distance from said second hinge lines, a pair ofcontrol braces pivotally connected to each other along a fifth hingeline and pivotally connected to said outer support panels along saidthird and fourth hinge lines, respectively, said control braces being ofa length to maintain said fifth hinge line at the same distance fromsaid third and fourth hinge lines as said first hinge line, a controllink pivotally connected to said control braces along said fifth hingeline and connected to a pivot fixed with respect to said second hingeline', said control link being of a length such that the distancebetween said fifth hinge line and said pivot is the same asthe distancebetween said pivot and said second hinge line;

15. An interconnecting mechanism according to claim 14 wherein saidcontrol link and fixed pivot are positioned approximately midway acrossthe width of the panels and wherein said third and fourth panels haveopenings extending from their base connected edges for allowing saidpanels to swing over said control link and fixed pivot.

16. An interconnecting mechanism according to claim 15 wherein each ofsaid control braces extends diagonally from said control link out to theside edges of said panels at said third and fourth hinge lines.

17. An interconnecting mechanism according to claim 14 wherein saidouter support panels is of open framework construction comprising sideelements and diagonal struts which cooperate to form an octahedron.

18. An interconnecting mechanism according to claim 17 wherein each ofsaid outer supportpanels is 12 provided with fittings at the ends ofsaid side elements, said fittings being pinned to corresponding fittingsin an adjacent panel.

19. An interconnecting mechanism according to claim 18 wherein saidcontrol braces each comprise a pair of branches extending diagonallyfrom said control link to collars adjacent the fittings on said outersupport panels.

20. An interconnecting mechanism according to claim 14 wherein saidouter support panels are of flat sheet material segments arranged toform polyhedrons wherein said outer support panels are in the shape ofoctahedrons.

21. An interconnecting mechanism according to claim 14 wherein saidcontrol braces are panels of sheet material segments arranged to formpolyhedrons.

22. An interconnecting mechanism according to claim 14 wherein saidouter support panels and control braces are hinged together with straptype hinges.

23. A platform support system comprising a platform member, a basemember, a pair of interconnecting mechanisms each interconnecting saidplatform and base members, at least one of said interconnectingmechanisms comprising four outer support panels hingedly connectedtogether at displaced locations along each of four parallel hingelinesat their edges to form a box-like construction, means for hingedlyconnecting said panels to said platform and base members along firstdiagonally opposed ones of said hinge lines respectively, each of saidouter support panels being of rigid construction, thicker at the centerthan at the edges and resistant to compressive forces between hingelines along opposite edges, and being further resistant to tensileforces, bending and twisting forces, linkage means for varying'themutual displacement of the other diagonally opposed hinge lines inaccordance with pivotal movement of said panels about one of said firstdiagonally opposed hinge lines.

24. A platform support system according to claim 23 wherein theremaining one of said interconnecting mechanisms is of the sameconstruction as said one interconnecting mechanism.

25. A platform support system comprising a platform member, a basemember, a pair of interconnecting mechanisms each interconnecting saidplatform and base members, one of said interconnecting mechanismscomprising first, second, third and fourth outer support elementshingedly connected together along four parallel hinge lines to form afour sided construction, means for hingedly connecting said elements tosaid base and platform members at first diagonally opposed ones of saidfour parallel hinge lines, linkage means for varying the mutualdisplacement of the other diagonally opposed hinge lines in accordancewith pivotal movement of said elements about one of said firstdiagonally opposed hinge lines, the other interconnecting mechanismcomprising fifth and sixth outer support elements hin edly connected toeach other and to said platform an base members respectively, said fifthand sixth elements extending parallel to two mutually adjacent ones ofthe first four elements when said platform member is parallel to saidbase member and a connector bar extending between and pivotallyconnected to, corre sponding locations on said interconnectingmechanisms.

26. A platform support system according to claim 25 wherein saidconnector bar extends between one of the first diagonally opposed hingelines of the first interconnecting mechanism and the hinge line betweensaid fifth and sixth outer suppo t el emgnts.

1. A platform support system for mOunting a platform for movement alonga given path in a fixed plane with respect to a base while maintainingsame braced against other movement, said system comprising a pair ofinterconnecting mechanisms each interconnecting said platform and base,at least one of said mechanisms comprising first and second outersupport panels rigidly resistant to bending and twisting and hingedlyconnected at their edges to each other at displaced locations along afirst hinge line, third and fourth outer support panels also rigidlyresistant to bending and twisting and hingedly connected at their edgesto each other at displaced locations along a second hinge line parallelto said first hinge line, said first and third panels being hingedlyconnected to each other at their remaining edges at displaced locationsalong a third hinge line and said second and fourth panels beinghingedly connected to each other at their remaining edges at displacedlocations along a fourth hinge line, said third and fourth hinge lineseach being parallel to and located a first distances from said firsthinge line, said third and fourth hinge lines each being located at asecond distance from said second hinge line, a pair of control bracespivotally connected to each other along a fifth hinge line parallel tosaid first, second, third and fourth hinge lines, said control bracesbeing pivotally connected to said outer support panels along said thirdand fourth hinge lines respectively, said fifth hinge line beingdisplaced from said third and fourth hinge lines by said first fixeddistances, a control link pivotally connected between said fifth hingeline and a pivot fixed with respect to said second hinge line, thedistance from said fifth hinge line to said pivot being equal to thedistance from said pivot to said second hinge line, means hingedlyconnecting said panels, at said first and second hinge lines, betweensaid platform and base, the other interconnecting mechanism beingarticulated between said base and platform and means causing movementsof said other mechanism to conform to movements of said one mechanism.2. A platform support system according to claim 1 wherein said outersupport panels are each of greater thickness at the center thereof thanat their edges and are of a construction resistant to compression forcesbetween the hinge lines, and resistant to tensile forces and bending andtwisting forces.
 3. A platform support system according to claim 1wherein said outer support panels extend across the width of saidplatform.
 4. A platform support system according to claim 3 wherein saidcontrol link and fixed pivot are positioned approximately midway acrossthe width of the panels and wherein said third and fourth panels haveopenings extending from their base connected edges for allowing saidpanels to swing over said control link and fixed pivot.
 5. A platformsupport system according to claim 4 wherein each of said control bracesextend diagonally from said control link to out to the side edges ofsaid panels at said third and fourth hinge lines.
 6. A platform supportsystem according to claim 2 wherein said outer support panels are ofopen framework construction comprising side elements and diagonal strutswhich cooperate to form octahedrons.
 7. A platform support systemaccording to claim 6 wherein each of said outer support panels isprovided with fittings at the ends of said side elements, said fittingsbeing pinned to corresponding fittings in an adjacent panel.
 8. Aplatform support system according to claim 7 wherein said control braceseach comprise a pair of branches extending diagonally from said controllink to collars adjacent the fittings on said outer support panels.
 9. Aplatform support system according to claim 2 wherein said outer supportpanels are of flat sheet material segments arranged to form polyhedrons.10. A platform support system according to claim 2 wherein said controlbraces are panels of sheet material segments arranged to formpOlyhedrons.
 11. A platform support system according to claim 1 whereinsaid outer support panels and control braces are hinged together withstrap type hinges.
 12. A platform support system according to claim 1wherein the other interconnecting mechanism comprises a pair of furtherpanels hingedly connected to each other and to said platform and baserespectively, said further panels extending the same distance betweenadjacent hinge lines respectively as said first and third panels and aninterconnecting bar pivotally connected to corresponding locations onthe panels of the pair of interconnecting mechanisms to maintaincorresponding ones of said panels parallel.
 13. A platform supportsystem according to claim 12 wherein said interconnecting bar extendsfrom said fourth hinge line to the hinge line between the panels of saidfurther pair.
 14. An interconnecting mechanism for rigidly supportingplatforms for movement along a given path, said mechanism comprisingfirst, second, third and fourth outer support panels each being rigidlyresistant to bending and twisting and hingedly connected together attheir edges at displaced locations along each of first, second, thirdand fourth mutually parallel hinge lines to form a generally box-likeconstruction, said panels being of a length to maintain said third andfourth hinge lines at a first distance from said second hinge lines, apair of control braces pivotally connected to each other along a fifthhinge line and pivotally connected to said outer support panels alongsaid third and fourth hinge lines, respectively, said control bracesbeing of a length to maintain said fifth hinge line at the same distancefrom said third and fourth hinge lines as said first hinge line, acontrol link pivotally connected to said control braces along said fifthhinge line and connected to a pivot fixed with respect to said secondhinge line, said control link being of a length such that the distancebetween said fifth hinge line and said pivot is the same as the distancebetween said pivot and said second hinge line.
 15. An interconnectingmechanism according to claim 14 wherein said control link and fixedpivot are positioned approximately midway across the width of the panelsand wherein said third and fourth panels have openings extending fromtheir base connected edges for allowing said panels to swing over saidcontrol link and fixed pivot.
 16. An interconnecting mechanism accordingto claim 15 wherein each of said control braces extends diagonally fromsaid control link out to the side edges of said panels at said third andfourth hinge lines.
 17. An interconnecting mechanism according to claim14 wherein said outer support panels is of open framework constructioncomprising side elements and diagonal struts which cooperate to form anoctahedron.
 18. An interconnecting mechanism according to claim 17wherein each of said outer support panels is provided with fittings atthe ends of said side elements, said fittings being pinned tocorresponding fittings in an adjacent panel.
 19. An interconnectingmechanism according to claim 18 wherein said control braces eachcomprise a pair of branches extending diagonally from said control linkto collars adjacent the fittings on said outer support panels.
 20. Aninterconnecting mechanism according to claim 14 wherein said outersupport panels are of flat sheet material segments arranged to formpolyhedrons wherein said outer support panels are in the shape ofoctahedrons.
 21. An interconnecting mechanism according to claim 14wherein said control braces are panels of sheet material segmentsarranged to form polyhedrons.
 22. An interconnecting mechanism accordingto claim 14 wherein said outer support panels and control braces arehinged together with strap type hinges.
 23. A platform support systemcomprising a platform member, a base member, a pair of interconnectingmechanisms each interconnecting said platform and base members, at leastone of said interconNecting mechanisms comprising four outer supportpanels hingedly connected together at displaced locations along each offour parallel hinge lines at their edges to form a box-likeconstruction, means for hingedly connecting said panels to said platformand base members along first diagonally opposed ones of said hinge linesrespectively, each of said outer support panels being of rigidconstruction, thicker at the center than at the edges and resistant tocompressive forces between hinge lines along opposite edges, and beingfurther resistant to tensile forces, bending and twisting forces,linkage means for varying the mutual displacement of the otherdiagonally opposed hinge lines in accordance with pivotal movement ofsaid panels about one of said first diagonally opposed hinge lines. 24.A platform support system according to claim 23 wherein the remainingone of said interconnecting mechanisms is of the same construction assaid one interconnecting mechanism.
 25. A platform support systemcomprising a platform member, a base member, a pair of interconnectingmechanisms each interconnecting said platform and base members, one ofsaid interconnecting mechanisms comprising first, second, third andfourth outer support elements hingedly connected together along fourparallel hinge lines to form a four sided construction, means forhingedly connecting said elements to said base and platform members atfirst diagonally opposed ones of said four parallel hinge lines, linkagemeans for varying the mutual displacement of the other diagonallyopposed hinge lines in accordance with pivotal movement of said elementsabout one of said first diagonally opposed hinge lines, the otherinterconnecting mechanism comprising fifth and sixth outer supportelements hingedly connected to each other and to said platform and basemembers respectively, said fifth and sixth elements extending parallelto two mutually adjacent ones of the first four elements when saidplatform member is parallel to said base member and a connector barextending between and pivotally connected to corresponding locations onsaid interconnecting mechanisms.
 26. A platform support system accordingto claim 25 wherein said connector bar extends between one of the firstdiagonally opposed hinge lines of the first interconnecting mechanismand the hinge line between said fifth and sixth outer support elements.